Pros: Includes alpha-n tune and all necessary hardware, designed to draw cold air without special ductwork, customer service. Available in both matte and gloss. Never heard of any fitment issues

Cons: Must use Evolve tune (unless you want to throw away money), does not use OE filter, cannot use CSL flap or ducting.

Those are the big 3. There are a couple others out there. Geoff Steele is popular in the UK, but I'm not really familiar with the specifics of their airbox. VAC is supposed to be awful

Wiring (for CSL DME Conversion)
You have two options: Either buy an OE CSL harness (pn: 12517833336) or modify the stock harness. You can buy an OE CSL harness for $600 - $1000 depending on the supplier; it requires minor modification to work properly with a manual car

If not using the CSL engine harness, CSL Wiring Harness Conversion:

MAP Sensor

Requirements:

12527507526 x 1 (Connector)

12527502932 x 3 (Gold Contacts for MAP connector)

12527510674 x 3 (Contacts for DME Connector)

12527503411 x 3 (Rubber Grommet for contacts)

22-20 AWG Wiring in assorted colors

Optional: 12527506431 x 1 (Connector boot – possibly wrong part)

Pinout:

MAP Pin 1 -> X60003 Pin 7

MAP Pin 2 -> X60003 Pin 17

MAP Pin 3 -> X60003 Pin 18

Alternator signal (March 2004+ Cars)Option 1: Software mod

Download Modified Program (remove the ".pdf" from the filename to extract the archive)

Flash the modified program that's appropriate for your setup

If you're using the non-CSL bootloader, the "2113230401" file is the appropriate one

Modify your tune by writing "01 05 0A" at 0x5968

A parameter section is not included in those binary files. Modify whatever CSL tune you were going to use or already have

Using NCS Expert, make sure "GENERATOR_UEBER_CAN" is set to aktiv (should already be aktiv if your car is a March 2004+ car)

Option 2: Wiring mod

Requirements:

12527510674 x 2 (Cluster and DME pins)

22 AWG wire

Pinout: Black Connector of Instrument Cluster Pin 2 -> X60004 Pin 1

Coding: Set “GENERATOR_UEBER_CAN” to nicht_aktiv

IAT Sensor

IAT pin 1 to MAF harness pin 1 or DME X60003 pin 22 (Power)

IAT pin 2 to MAF harness pin 3 or DME X60003 pin 16 (Ground)

Flap Motor

Flap pin 1 to DME X60002 pin 8 (Power)

Flap pin 2 to DME X60002 pin 9 (Ground)

Flap position sensor

FPS pin 1 to MAF harness pin 3 or DME X60003 pin 20 (Ground)

FPS pin 2 to MAF harness pin 5 or DME X60003 pin 1 (Signal)

FPS pin 3 to MAF harness pin 4 or DME X60003 pin 14 (Power)

Fuel Pump Relay Conversion - US cars only (Try running the car without touching the fuel pump relay first. It's not required for most cars; it has yet TBD what causes it to be required)

Requirement: Green BMW Relay (replaces black relay)

Pinout:

Relocate X60002 Pin 11 -> X60004 Pin 10

Relocate Relay Pin 1 to Pin 4

Pin 7 is unused

For reference:

X60001 is the top-right connector in this picture. They increase sequentially until X60005 as you go down and left

Sometimes I feel bad for csl owners. BMW is screwing them over by trying to limit csl parts. Everything is running out! I have three friends that bought map rails and sensors just in case they do the conversion in the future when they're NLA

Let me preface this with, I wrench and do everything on my cars. With that being said, I am an absolute dummy whenever it comes to electronics. Is there any possibility of getting (literally) a step-by-step DIY install? I am talking, take this exact wire and solder to this wire, etc. This connector gets attached to this wire, route this wire through here, etc. Maybe I am just asking too much, not sure. I just don't want to mess anything up!

Let me preface this with, I wrench and do everything on my cars. With that being said, I am an absolute dummy whenever it comes to electronics. Is there any possibility of getting (literally) a step-by-step DIY install? I am talking, take this exact wire and solder to this wire, etc. This connector gets attached to this wire, route this wire through here, etc. Maybe I am just asking too much, not sure. I just don't want to mess anything up!

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